Michigan Tech News

Companies Target High Tech at Career Fair

That was Jim Turnquist’s simple answer to what companies are looking for at this spring’s Career Fair at Michigan Technological University.

“The jobs, now and into the future, will be focused on technology, science and math,” said the director of Career Services, discussing the Career Fair taking place Tuesday, Feb. 18, noon to 6 p.m. at the Student Development Complex.

Some 217 companies are coming. In comparison, a job fair near Detroit is attracting 50-something companies to their event.

“We can attract employers to Houghton because we have the majors they want,” he said. “We are a target school for them.” Starting salaries seem to reinforce that fact, many in the $70,000 range, and internships and co-ops remain popular, he added.

The most popular majors for recruiters—mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and civil engineering—all produce grads with high-tech expertise. Computer-focused majors are also in high demand.

“We have the technology in the classroom,” he says. “We are teaching differently, moving graduates in that direction.”

Companies new and old are coming to the Career Fair: Titan International, Epic, Ford (“focused on IT this time”), DENSO, Bosch. “Automotive is really bouncing back,” said Turnquist. Energy, too, is hiring. And one more skill set can’t be overlooked.

“Communication skills,” he said. "They add value to a company and increase your chances in a job market. Of course, communication is full of technology now, too.”

Michigan Technological University (www.mtu.edu) is a leading public research university developing new technologies and preparing students to create the future for a prosperous and sustainable world. Michigan Tech offers more than 130 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in engineering; forest resources; computing; technology; business; economics; natural, physical and environmental sciences; arts; humanities; and social sciences.

Original URL: http://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2014/february/companies-target-high-tech-career-fair.html